HELP. How do you adjust the V-belts on a 48 flathead?

34pickup

34pickup

Well-known member
What is the preferred, official method of adjusting the v-belts on a flathead?
I have a 1948 coupe V8 and I can get the generator/water pump belt tight but I can't seem to get the fan belt tight at the same time.
Surely ole Henry had a method to properly set the belt tension.
???/?
 
Talkwrench said:
They should not be tight on a flathead.....
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Well the fan will spin around easily when the generator belt is tight so I know it is supposed to be tighter than flopping around.
Edit: Nevermind, I found the instructions on the earlyv8 page.
 
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34, I didn't know there was a "proper procedure".....not the first time I've plowed ahead on instinct!! I've spent so much time with my distributor that I've reduced removing and re-installing the fan to a "routine". I first get the gen. and water pump belt tight with proper flex, and then lift the fan assembly up until I've got the right tension on the fan belt. I use a small block of wood and a pry bar under the generator to get that one right before I proceed to the fan belt. One of my biggest challenges was finding the right fan belt! Finally I got what I needed from MacVP, complete with Ford script.:)
 
On '47 I loosen the large bolt, then adjust the fan belt first, then lifting under the generator body with pry-bar, adjust the belt that runs the water pumps and generator to a point that there's about a 1/2" of deflection in the belt under thumb pressure.
 
I use my engine hoist and webbing. Put webbing (like seat belt material) under the generator in a short loop tied off. Put hook from cherry picker in loop. Pump hoist enough to put proper tension on generator and belt. Tighten bolt to maintain tension. Done and super easy with no prying or scratching painted surfaces.
 
The belt tension for the generator and water pumps is separate from the fan belt. Loosen the two bolts holding the fan belt and allow the assembly to slide down. Then loosen the large "nut" holding the other belt and adjust to the recommended tension. Next, raise the fan assembly until the belt is tensioned, then tighten the two bolts holding the assembly. Dom't over tighten either belt to prevent damage.
 
Trying to only tighten the generator without roughly positioning the fan will typically result in a misaligned square spacer - blocking movement of the fan bracket. Short of having four untiring hands available, approaching this as a three step task gets it done: roughly position fan bracket with finger tight bolts, lever generator to desired position before tightening bolts, then final position and final tighten fan.
 
Coincidence? I just went through this yesterday after having the generator rebuilt. After a few tries I found Forty Niner's method worked out best.
 
supereal said:
The belt tension for the generator and water pumps is separate from the fan belt. Loosen the two bolts holding the fan belt and allow the assembly to slide down. Then loosen the large "nut" holding the other belt and adjust to the recommended tension.
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There is no "other belt" on my 40. It's all one belt.
 
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